Inquirer staff writer Bonnie Cook reports:
In the lobby of the Mercer Museum in Doylestown Borough, about a dozen museum staffers and others gathered around a television, watching preparation for the inauguration. Behind the TV was a large window, and on the side, people bundled in snowsuits could be seen tobogganing down a snow-covered hill. Inside, the watchers drank coffee and ate chocolate chip cookies.
Molly Lowell, 58, executive vice-president of the Bucks County Historical Society, said it was important for her as a person and as a member of the historical society to mark the occasion.
“I never thought I would see an African American president in my lifetime, and that’s why it’s so extraordinary. I voted for Hillary, I was happy to embrace Barack Obama. Although he doesn’t have the experience, he does have the ability to pull people together. I hope people’s expectations aren’t so high that they won’t give him a chance.”
As Obama’s daughters appeared on the screen with their grandmother, Mary Robinson, Lowell said, “They look happy.”
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In Doylestown as Obama speaks

Inquirer Online Desk

Posted:
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 2:36 PM

Inquirer staff writer Bonnie Cook reports:

In the lobby of the Mercer Museum in Doylestown Borough, about a dozen museum staffers and others gathered around a television, watching preparation for the inauguration. Behind the TV was a large window, and on the side, people bundled in snowsuits could be seen tobogganing down a snow-covered hill. Inside, the watchers drank coffee and ate chocolate chip cookies.

Molly Lowell, 58, executive vice-president of the Bucks County Historical Society, said it was important for her as a person and as a member of the historical society to mark the occasion.

“I never thought I would see an African American president in my lifetime, and that’s why it’s so extraordinary. I voted for Hillary, I was happy to embrace Barack Obama. Although he doesn’t have the experience, he does have the ability to pull people together. I hope people’s expectations aren’t so high that they won’t give him a chance.”

As Obama’s daughters appeared on the screen with their grandmother, Mary Robinson, Lowell said, “They look happy.”

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Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.

Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.